"Lingling, I'll be back in a minute", Zimo said as he walked past her desk.
"Okay"
He made it down the floors and stepped outside the building, when he suddenly froze. A familiar white car came to a stop a few feet away from him.
The door opened slowly and a man holding a glass of wine stared at him. His shirt was buttoned only from the third button, revealing half of his chest. Grey strands of hair mixed with his black hair.
Zimo slowly walked over and got in. The car pulled away.
The scent of strong liquor hit him immediately, and the smoke of the recently extinguished cigarette still lingered until the window was slightly rolled down.
"Every time I called, you didn't speak a word. I've almost forgotten what you sound like." The man said.
Zimo kept quiet.
"I could've gotten you into any company, but you had to go to Gu? Zimo, you're my son. I only want what's best for you."
"Why did you come to me?" Zimo asked.
"I came to tell you to leave the Gu company. Things won't end well for you if you stay."
"Tell me. How will it end?"
They held eye contact for a few seconds before his father's phone rang.
"Yes", he answered. A pause. "Alright." And then he hung up. "Take me to Rong Minghao." He instructed the driver.
"Rong Minghao?" Zimo asked. "You're also involved with those people?"
"I guess Gu Yuxuan has already gotten you involved. Do yourself a favor and stay out of his business. You don't know him well. He'll use you until there's nothing left."
"I think the person who won't end well is you", Zimo said sharply.
His father smirked. "Why do you think Rong Minghao, once his closest ally, betrayed him? When he drained him of every penny, he threw him away like trash. Of course Rong Minghao had to take revenge."
"That's not true." Zimo said.
His father tilted his head. "Do you think a few weeks with him means you understand him?"
Zimo didn't answer.
"Whatever you're trying to do, Gu Yuxuan will never aid you. Even now, he still doesn't trust you but here you are, speaking up for him."
Zimo watched as his father took out an envelope and handed it to him. He froze as he took pictures of himself out with another person dressed in black also taking pictures of him from a distance. He was either leaving home, returning or walking alone.
"I made the person who took these photos follow the person who was taking the pictures of you. He went straight back to Gu Yuxuan."
Zimo stared at the pictures as his heart sank into his stomach. "Gu Yuxuan, did you really?" He thought as heat crawled up his chest, burning.
The car stopped and his father got out. "Come with me."
Zimo followed him to the large mansion ahead. His father paused before reaching the door and looked back.
"Zimo. I'm still your father. You can trust me." He lifted a hand to touch his shoulder, but Zimo pulled back.
"Don't touch me." He said.
His father reluctantly drew back his hand and continued walking.
A maid opened the door and led them inside.
"Mr Su", Rong Minghao greeted and they shook hands. "This is… isn't he Gu Yuxuan's new bodyguard?"
"This is my son, Su Zimo."
"Oh, please sit." Rong Minghao said with a gaze that stayed on Zimo
"Mr Rong, you said that Gu Yuxuan has made his move. What happened?" Su Chen asked.
Rong Minghao hesitated, nervously glancing at Zimo. "Uh…"
"Please go ahead." Su Chen said calmly.
"Right. He has made his move on Gu'Ai square. All the businesses have closed down despite already paying their rent for the six months. I'm not sure what he's trying to achieve by doing this."
"What did Wang Lihong say?"
"Nothing has happened yet. I didn't dare bother him before getting all the facts first. I was hoping you could lend me a hand Mr Su."
"Gu Yuxuan is very calculated. Trying to peek into his mind is but a distant dream."
"Mr Su, why not ask your son to…"
Zimo glared at Rong Minghao whose words were instantly shot down mid-sentence.
"Zimo knows very little about business. Getting him involved will be dangerous."
"But I think… he's already involved." Rong Minghao said, rubbing his chin.
Su Chen looked at Rong Minghao with an intense gaze but then smiled, clearing the tight atmosphere. "Zimo is just two years younger than Gu Yuxuan but he really can't be compared to Gu Yuxuan's strategic brain. I've spoiled him too much, making him just an average person. He really isn't that involved like you think."
Rong Minghao leaned back, his eyes jumping back and forth at Zimo and Su Chen. "If you say so, then I believe you." He sighed. "Then what do you think we should do? How will we know what he's planning?"
Zimo stood abruptly. "Gu Yuxuan is waiting for you to lose your mind!" Zimo raised his voice and walked out.
Su Chen chuckled slightly. "Ignore him. He's just paranoid."
After a short while, Su Chen returned to the car looking irritated. Zimo was already seated. When he got in, they drove off. For the whole ride he kept his eyes on Zimo but didn't say anything.
When they reached the building, Zimo immediately got out but stopped when he's father said, "Remember what I said. Just like how Gu Yuxuan doesn't trust you, you also can't trust him."
Zimo closed the door and walked away.
When he reached the 18th floor inside the elevator, the door opened and Gu Yuxuan stood outside.
Zimo got out and Gu Yuxuan got in. Both not saying a word to each other. Zimo looked at him until the door slowly closed. For a moment he just remained frozen until Lingling called out.
"Zimo! I have been looking for you everywhere. What took you so long?" She asked.
"Traffic." He answered.
"Mr Gu said that you can return home early today. But you're still here even now, what a waste of a free day."
"Why did he say I can go home?" He asked.
"He has something to do and will be leaving without you."
Zimo's eyes widened. He turned back and started pressing continuously on the elevator's button but it took too long so he ran towards the one down the hall.
"Where are you going?" Lingling shouted as he disappeared behind the wall.